RHAM Student Council hosts Halloween Hallway

Sophie (age 5), from Rocky Hill, dresses as a princess, complete with her own portable castle tower, at the annual Halloween Hallway sponsored by the RHAM Student Council on Oct. 30. Photo by Melanie Savage.

Sophie (age 5), from Rocky Hill, dresses as a princess, complete with her own portable castle tower, at the annual Halloween Hallway sponsored by the RHAM Student Council on Oct. 30. Photo by Melanie Savage.

The Student Council Halloween Hallway is an annual tradition at RHAM High School, giving local children a safe place to show off costumes and collect a bit of extra holiday candy on the evening before the main event. The entry fee for the event is a canned food item. Collected items are distributed among food banks for RHAM's three towns (Hebron, Andover, and Marlborough), according to Student Council Advisor Deb Gresens.

Gresens said that Student Council members set-up, man, and clean-up the event, and are rewarded with a pizza party afterward. "We've had a pretty good turnout," said Gresens, indicating a respectable collection of canned goods and a hallway buzzing with activity. The event is just one of the community service activities hosted by the Council each year, said Gresens.

Ethan, age 4, was dressed as a wolf for RHAM. He hung out in the school cafeteria after collecting his candy, where children could engage in activities such as a bouncy house, face-painting, cookie-decorating and crafts, all overseen by RHAM Student Council members. Ethan's sister Bronwyn, age 7, was dressed as a princess. The siblings said they live in Storrs, and planned to trick-or-treat at home on Halloween night. Asked what brought them to Hebron, Bronwyn grinned. "Because my mom works here," she said.

Little Gina, age 2, was not in the mood for waiting. Dressed as Pooh, the little girl grabbed a face-painting crayon and began to decorate her own face. Spotting her big brother, Nicholas, having his face done by a Student Council member, Gina wandered over and proceeded to add her own touches. "Don't do that," said Nicholas sternly.

Dressed as Batman, Quentin, age 4, sat on the lap of his grandpa, Bob Murphy. Murphy explained that Quentin was wearing a simplified version of his costume. A huge Batman fan, Quentin planned to wear the deluxe version for Halloween night. Half homemade and half store bought, the costume includes bat boomerangs, a yellow tool belt and Batman "smoke bombs," explained Murphy.

Abby, age 3, was dressed in blue satin and carried a matching wand, with a tiara perched atop her head. "Abby, come here," called an adult.